Question - teeth cleaning - covenia?

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houghtam

houghtam

Member Since 2013
Hardey went to vet today and is down another pound (19 lbs). He is eating, but not as well as he should (only about 1 can of Friskies or 1 1/2 cans of FF - if I'm lucky). I'm glad he is losing, but he is losing too fast. The vet checked his teeth and he has one really bad one and another that doesn't look very good. She wants to do a teeth cleaning/possible extraction next Thursday. I have never put an animal under for a cleaning before. I know the risks are higher if they are older and overweight. Am I worrying when I shouldn't be? They gave me the estimate today and I specifically asked if any of the pain meds or antibiotics were steroids or contained sugar and was told no. So, I feel better about that part at least. Vet assured me that she will keep him under just long enough to do what needs to be done and only use anesthesias that she can reverse immediately if necessary. Is there anything else I should ask the vet or be worried about?
 
Re: Question - teeth cleaning?

Ask them to add NO METACAM and NO COVENIA in big bold red letters to his chart. It sounds like he really needs this dental cleaning and possibly extraction and it sounds like your vet is aware of the risks. With J.D., I used a Dental Specialist and had him get an echocardiogram from a cardiologist before the procedure. It was more expensive, but well worth it for the peace of mind.
Hardey will feel so much better when his painful teeth are fixed or gone, and will want to eat more once the hurt is gone, and his blood glucose may also be affected by the pain he is feeling now.
 
Re: Question - teeth cleaning?

Thanks Dyana. I'll call them tomorrow and add that to his chart. Vet did a blood panel to make sure nothing else it going on before the cleaning. Just in case there might be some other reason for the reduction in eating. I think she knows how nervous I am and I felt better about it after I talked to her. Still nervous though. :(
 
Re: Question - teeth cleaning?

Mary Alice

Have you seen Sienne's great post on Dental Procedures? If you haven't, it has super resources and information in it.

Good luck with the dental. Please let us know how it goes.
 
I've been doing my research about Hardey's teeth cleaning/possible extraction this Thursday. I checked the estimate from the vet and found that they had planned on using covenia. Here is my question... I'm pretty sure they gave him this shot a few months back for a recurring UTI (I remember the vet saying it would last two weeks - I'll check to see if this is the one they used for sure on Tuesday since they are closed tomorrow). What alternatives should I tell them I want to use instead or is it okay to use since he has already been on it once? I have read about the dangers, don't want to use if I don't have to, but want to have my comments in order before I call.

I also saw an older post by Sienne that said he should be on antibiotics before the procedure. I'm not sure if this is still a currently suggested option. Should I ask about this on Tuesday as well? His procedure is Thursday. Not exactly 5 days before like the post said... What should I do?

Hardey actually as been eating better today and yesterday. I changed to a new flavor of Friskies today (mariner's catch) and he LOVED it. He's eaten an entire can since this morning. I haven't seen him do that in over a month. Yesterday he at FF kitten and devoured 2 cans of that. Don't kow how long it will last... may be just because they are new flavors... but it made me feel better. :)
 
Antibiotics prior to a procedure are only indicated if it's clear there's some sort of infection. If the vet sees that there is an infection, then an antibiotic after the cleaning will be helpful. My vet has used clindamycin after a dental procedure. The problem with Convenia, other than it's lasting 2 weeks and if your cat is allergic there's no way to get it out of his system, is that it's only indication is for skin infections. It's really not the antibiotic of choice for UTIs or dental inflammation/infection. Vets like to give it because most owners don't like to pill their cat. FWIW, clindamycin does come in a long acting injection. However, with any long acting drug, you need to be sure your cat isn't allergic. There may be liquid antibiotics you can use as long as the formula doesn't contain a sugar syrup.
 
Thanks for the clarification. I will call on Tuesday and get this all straightened out. Hardey isn't too bad when I have to give him pills (as long as they can be put in a pill pocket). My only problem might be if he's too sore to chew it - although most of the time he swallows the whole thing.

They also said they were going to use some sort of pain med that I would put on his ear. Any idea what that might be?
 
Not a clue. It sounds like a transdermal. Find out what it is. No Metacam -- it has a black box warning from the FDA. Most of us get bupe (buprenorphine) for pain. It can be administered using a syringe without a needle into the cheek pocket or injected subcutaneously, just like insulin.
 
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